Recreation and leisure are essential to the total well-being of every person. They can also be a reflection and expression of the cultural values of a society, or an important therapeutic treatment modality. The provision of recreation services is one of the largest industries in the world, whether measured in dollars spent, persons served, hours of time devoted, or resources used.
A sample of professional organizations related to recreation and leisure services is provided below. These professional associations offer job newsletters, scholarships, and services for professionals.
GENERAL RECREATION CAREER INFORMATION
National Recreation and Park Association
General career information posted by the National Recreation and Park Association, including employment forecasts in therapeutic recreation, commercial/tourism recreation, natural resources / park management, and municipal recreation administration
http://nrpa.jobcontrolcenter.com/
THERAPEUTIC RECREATION
National Therapeutic Recreation & Park Association
This national professional association provides a wide variety of resources for professionals in therapeutic recreation, including employment announcements
http://www.nrpa.org/
American Therapeutic Recreation Association
This national professional association publishes both a general overview of careers in therapeutic recreation (http://www.atra-tr.org/careerinfo.htm)
and announcements of specific employment opportunities in the field (http://www.atra-tr.org/employmentupdate.htm). See more about careers in Recreation Therapy at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos082.htm)
Therapeutic Recreation Directory
Resources for professionals in Therapeutic recreation, including job notices
http://www.recreationtherapy.com/trjob.htm
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT
Energize Inc.
Resources for professionals in volunteer management, including job bulletin
http://www.energizeinc.com/
Opportunity Nocs.org
National directory of employment opportunities in non-profit organizations
http://www.opportunitynocs.org/
YOUTH SERVICES
YMCA of the USA (and International)
Jobs and volunteer opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. Search a YMCA facility nearest you and contact for more information.
http://www.ymca.net
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
International Festivals and Events Association
Association of professionals who plan and coordinator festivals and events; includes job bulletin
http://www.ifea.com/
Meeting Planners International
Provides information on education and events, membership, news, publications and professional resources for those interested in careers as meeting planners.
http://www.mpiweb.org/
International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (IACVB)
This listing contains contact information for IACVB member convention and visitor bureaus, listed alphabetically by the country and city in which the office is located.
http://www.iacvb.org/
Resort and Commercial Recreation Association
Site for a national professional association, including job bulletin
http://www.r-c-r-a.org/
American Hospitality Academy introduces interested travel and tourism students to the exciting world of working within resorts and hotels. Jobs, internships and training available.
http://www.americanhospitalityacademy.com/
CAMPUS RECREATION AND STUDENT SERVICES
Career Services in Higher Education Student Services
National association of student personnel administration
http://www.naspa.org
National Association of College Activities
Student activities professional organizations
http://www.naca.org
Association of College Unions International
International association of student activities professionals
http://www.acui.org/
SPORTS AND RECREATION
National Intramural Recreation Sports Association
Professional organization dedicated to development of intramural/recreation sports and fitness programs
http://www.nirsa.org/
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Student Conservation Association
Site includes internships and career information in outdoor recreation resource management
http://www.thesca.org/
Outdoor Action Guide to Outdoor/Environmental Careers (by Princeton University). Overview of employment opportunities in outdoor recreation
http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/jobs/careeroe.html
Outdoor Network.com
Wide variety of information about the outdoors, including outdoor JobNet (a publication listing job announcements)
http://www.outdoornetwork.com
American Camping Association (ACA)
Camping professionals, including camp owners, directors, administrators and staff. The organization also has a program for camp accreditation.
http://www.acacamps.org/ .
For information about programs and camps in Hawaii and Southern California, visit http://www.acasocal.org.
National Association for Interpretation (NAI)
Organization for those who interpret natural and cultural history for park visitors (commonly known as ranger talks at the parks).
http://www.interpnet.com/home.htm
North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)
Organization for those who educate people about environmental issues in both formal (classroom) and non-formal (nature centers, camps, etc.) settings.
http://www.naaee.org/
Association for Experiential Education (AEE)
Organization for those who educate people through experience. Includes a wide variety of jobs (ropes course facilitators, wilderness trips, teachers, etc.)
http://www.aee.org/
Wilderness Education Association (WEA)
Organization for those who lead wilderness trips.
http://www.weainfo.org/
World Congress and Expo of the International Adventure Travel and Outdoor Show
http://www.iatos.com
How can you be assured of learning the essential facets of recreation and leisure services?
Receiving the best education in recreation and leisure services is assured by the Department's accreditation by the Accreditation Council of the National Recreation and Park Association and American Association for Leisure and Recreation (NRPA, Council on Accreditation, 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, VA 20148, phone: 703-858-0784).
